Name: Baked Salmon Meatballs – Easy Recipes for Dinner
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 17 min
Total time: 32 min
Ingredients: 1 lb skinless salmon fillet; 2 garlic cloves, minced; 2 tablespoons finely chopped parsley; 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs; 1 large egg; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional); 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika; Zest of 1 lemon; 1 tablespoon olive oil (for greasing or brushing)

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Key Takeaways
Why These Baked Salmon Meatballs Belong on Your Table
A Delicious Twist on a Seafood Classic
The Secret to Flavorful and Moist Meatballs
Quick Prep, Even Quicker Dinner
Perfect for Meal Prep and Leftovers
Pairing Suggestions That Make It a Meal
Notes & Tips

Key Takeaways

These Baked Salmon Meatballs from Clara Cooks are the perfect choice for an easy recipe for dinner. With minimal prep and simple ingredients, they deliver big on flavor, nutrition, and satisfaction. They’re a healthy and easy recipe, great for weeknights, meal prep, or even dinner for two. Plus, they’re naturally gluten-free and kid-friendly.

Why These Baked Salmon Meatballs Belong on Your Table

At Clara Cooks (claracooks.com), we’re all about keeping things fresh, wholesome, and most importantly—doable. When you’re on the hunt for easy recipes for dinner that won’t require a culinary degree or an afternoon off, these baked salmon meatballs check all the boxes. They’re satisfying without being heavy, flavorful without being fussy, and perfect for picky eaters and adventurous palates alike. As someone who juggles work, family, and a never-ending to-do list, Clara knows the value of having a go-to recipe that feels gourmet but cooks up in under 30 minutes. This is one of those meals. And let’s not forget—it’s seafood, which brings its own health perks to the table, making it one of our favorite healthy and easy recipes on the site.

A Delicious Twist on a Seafood Classic: Salmon Reimagined

If your idea of salmon involves the same tired fillet baked with lemon, you’re in for a treat. These meatballs are a clever way to reinvent seafood in your home kitchen. Clara’s philosophy behind Clara Cooks has always been about breaking tradition in just the right places. That’s exactly what happens here—fresh salmon is pulsed into a finely chopped base and mixed with pantry staples to create bites that are crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and bursting with fresh flavor. This twist also makes seafood dinner recipes more approachable for kids or those new to fish. And it’s another feather in the cap of quick and easy recipes that still feel like a special occasion meal. You might just start craving salmon in meatball form more than the original!

The Secret to Flavorful and Moist Meatballs

Let’s be honest—dry meatballs are the bane of any home cook’s existence. That’s why Clara spent extra time perfecting this baked salmon meatball recipe. The trick is starting with fresh, high-quality salmon and combining it with moisture-locking ingredients like egg, parsley, and lemon zest. Breadcrumbs give structure while also absorbing those delicious juices, creating a bite that holds together yet melts in your mouth. One thing we’ve learned while developing easy homemade recipes is that simplicity can still taste extraordinary when each ingredient serves a purpose. And here, every single component elevates the result. Whether you’re serving these for dinner recipes for two or feeding a family, their flavor stands on its own—or dipped in a tangy yogurt or aioli sauce.

Quick Prep, Even Quicker Dinner: The Weeknight Lifesaver

Time-starved? Who isn’t? That’s why the words “easy recipes for dinner” often top our search bar on Clara Cooks. With just 15 minutes of prep and less than 20 in the oven, these baked salmon meatballs are the very definition of a weeknight lifesaver. They cook up fast, require no standing over the stove, and clean-up is minimal—exactly what busy folks need. This is especially ideal for those pursuing quick evening snacks or main courses that don’t involve processed foods or boxed kits. It’s no wonder this one’s quickly become one of Clara’s go-to seafood dinner recipes. Pair it with a grain and a green, and your plate suddenly looks—and tastes—like something you’d find at a trendy café. But better, because it came from your kitchen.

Perfect for Meal Prep and Leftovers

Raise your hand if you’ve ever looked at your fridge on a Thursday and wondered, “What on earth do I make tonight?” These salmon meatballs are here to solve that dilemma. Make a double batch on Sunday, and you’ve got lunch bowls, sandwich fillers, or pasta toppers for days. They reheat like a dream—never rubbery, never dry—and retain all their juicy goodness. In fact, Clara tested these several times for meal prep nights and found them just as delightful days later. That’s the hallmark of a recipe made with real, whole ingredients. They also freeze beautifully, making them one of our favorite long-tail healthy and easy recipes. If you’re meal planning or cooking for one or two, this is a smart choice that makes food feel fun again.

Pairing Suggestions That Make It a Meal

So, you’ve got your salmon meatballs. Now what? The great thing about this easy dinner idea is how flexible it is. Serve them over jasmine rice with a dollop of tzatziki for a Mediterranean twist. Try quinoa and roasted veggies for a power bowl vibe. Or tuck a few into lettuce wraps with pickled onions for a low-carb, high-flavor option. At Clara Cooks, we always suggest recipes that can flex depending on your cravings or dietary needs, and these salmon meatballs are no exception. Even better? They’re a perfect fit for dinner recipes for two—romantic yet practical, simple but elegant. They’re one of those rare recipes that feel equally at home in a lunchbox or on a date night plate.

Notes & Tips

If you’re short on fresh salmon, feel free to substitute canned salmon—just be sure to drain it thoroughly and remove any skin or bones. A food processor makes prep a breeze, but you can also finely chop by hand with a sharp knife. Want extra crisp? Pop the meatballs under the broiler for the last 2 minutes. And don’t forget to customize! Add dill, chives, or even a touch of Dijon to make them your own. These also work great in the air fryer, making them part of our favorite air fryer easy recipes collection. Finally, don’t be afraid to double the recipe—it freezes well and tastes just as good the next day. These kinds of tips are what Clara lives for at Clara Cooks—empowering you to cook better, smarter, and more deliciously every day.